Baldwin RP-210

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Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton RP-210
Baldwin RP-210, NYC Beech Grove Shops, Indiana, May 1956
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Serial number 76108–76110 Model RP-210 Build date April & October 1956 Total produced 3
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Length 58 ft 9 in (17.91 m) Width 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) Height 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) Loco weight 198,300 lb (89.9 t) Electric system/s 660 V DC (NH only) traction motors, (2x)150 hp (110 kW) Current pickup(s) Third rail contact shoe, and pantograph (NH only) Prime mover Maybach MD-655 Engine type Diesel Aspiration Turbocharged Displacement 3,930 cu in (64.4 L) Cylinders 12 Transmission Mekydro Hydraulic Loco brake Straight air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 120 mph (190 km/h) Power output 1,000 hp (750 kW) Tractive effort 21,000 lbf (93.4 kN)
Career Operators New York Central Railroad, New Haven Railroad Class NH: EDER-6 Numbers NYC: 20, NH: 3000–3001 Locale North America Disposition Scrapped

The RP-210 was a streamlined 1,000 hp (750 kW) locomotive built in 1956 by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton, specifically to operate with the experimental, all-aluminum Train-X coaches that were built by the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company. The model represented Baldwin's attempted entry into the lightweight passenger locomotive market, but only three of the low-slung diesel-hydraulic units were produced. The first RP-210 was built for the New York Central Railroad to power their Ohio Xplorer train between Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, and a pair was purchased by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to double-end their Dan'l Webster, running between New York City and Boston.^[1][2]

The New Haven's RP-210s, with their three independent power systems, were among the most complex railroad locomotives in America. They featured a German prime mover with a hydraulic transmission, an auxiliary diesel and generator for on-train power, and two externally energized electric traction motors. The New York Central requested a booster unit, but none were built. The unique RP-210 was the last locomotive design to bear the BLH name. Along with the lightweight trains it powered, the RP-210 was unsuccessful in achieving stated goals and its service life was short. Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton expected to sell more to New Haven but NH went with 60 FL9 locomotives from EMD, which proved to be everything the RP-210 was not.